Saturday, 1 October 2011

Nature has gifted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with rich cultural
and tourism friendly environment. It has the potential
of becoming a big tourist attraction in the world, due
to its scenic beauty, geographical location, climate and
natural resources.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is
exceptionally rich in terms of multitudes of tourist
attraction. The essence of this attraction is visible
from the remarkable natural picturesque comprising beautiful
rivers, splendid water falls, spell-bound lakes mostly
in the mountainous region and green valleys in most
parts of the province. Due to its geographical location,
Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa has had been a confluence of different
civilizations which flourished and vanished with the
passage of time.

The quasi contiguity
of the province, with the Central Asian states and with
xiangiang province of China attracted many migrants,
businessmen, warriors and fortune seekers in different
ages for settlement. The interaction among different
races and their co-existence led to a rich cultural
heritage. The glimpses of such heritage are evident
from the Ghandhara archaeological sites at Gur Khattree
Peshawar, Takh-Bahi (Mardan), Seri Behlol (Mardan),
Shabaz Gari (Mardan) Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat),
and collection of Ghandhara art preserved at Swat Museum,
Chakdara museum (Dir Lower) and Peshawar museum.

• The total area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is
100200 sq.km

• Northern Zone: A mountainous
region full of natural picturesque having 5 small and
big rivers.

• Mid Part: It comprises of
Peshawar Valley, a seat of different civilizations.

The province is broadly divided into three different zones
with their peculiar physical stratum. The northern part
of the province is adorned with beautiful valleys having
5 rivers running roughly north to south inter alia the
Chitral, Dir, Swat, Indus and Kaghan. These valleys are
on the northern edge of the monsoon belt, fairly green
and partially wooded in their southern sections. The mid
part had been the seat of the ancient civilizations particularly
Peshawar remained the hub of activities for different
civilizations including Buddhist Hindu Shahi, Sikh, Islamic
and British culture all having their mark on the city.
The southern part of the province is below the monsoon
belt and consists of low, rocky mountain and wide, gravely
plains. The important cities and areas of the province
are described for the convenience of the reader.

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

The region of Hazara is like a door to heaven, opening
up to visitors a world replete
with natural beauty. It was a favourite gateway from
the plains into Kashmir during Mughal, Durrani and Sikh
rules. It is a large area some 10,000 sq. km. The world
famous Karakoram Highway starts from Havelian, a town
in this region at a distance of 101 km from Islamabad.
The mighty "Lion River" Indus or Abasin flows
through the entire length of Hazara. It is strategically
located between the Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir, Punjab
and the rest of the KPK "North West Frontier Province". Hill
stations collectively known as the Gallis and the Kaghan
valley are the best known parts of Hazara. Pakistani
and foreign tourists throng its cool and serene valleys
during sizzling summer.

Located at 81 km from Islamabad on Hasan Abdal-Abbottabad
road, Haripur was founded in 1822 by Hari Singh, a general
of Ranjit Singh's army. He was the Governor of Hazara
in 1822-23. A fort built by the Sikhs called Harikishan
Garh is at present being used as a police station. There
is also a British cemetery.

Abbottabad
is named after its founder James Abbot, Hazara's first
British Deputy Commissioner. It is at a distance of
121 km from Islamabad via Hasan Abdal. It is 1220 meters
above sea level and is situated at the crossroads of
most of the areas of tourist interest in Pakistan like
Nathiagali, Murree, Thandiani, Kaghan valley, Swat valley,
Skardu, Gilgit and Khunjrab. Taxila, one of the most
important archaeological treasures of the subcontinent
is not very far from here. There are two hills towering
above Abbottabad, Shimla Peak and Sarban Peak. There
are very fine panoramic views of the town and its surroundings
from Shimla Peak. The famous Pakistan Military Academy
is on the hill to the north-east side of the town. Shimla
Park located on a nearby hill with a pine forest is
well worth a visit. Abbottabad has still a very British
air with its European style bungalows, the club, the
church and the cemetery.

Thandiani means "cold" in the local language.
Therefore being a cool place it got the name of "Thandiani".
It is 2700 meters above sea level on a small plateau
surrounded by pine forests. This beautiful spot can
easily be approached from Abbottabad, which is 24 km
away. It is totally unspoiled and has the loveliest
of views of all the hill stations of Pakistan. The scenery
here is breathtaking and superb.

Nathiagali
clad in pine, walnut, oak and maple trees, is the prettiest
hill resort in the Galiyat region. It can be approached
both from Murree and Abbottabad. It is 34 km from Abbottabad
as well as from Murree. Nathiagali is 2501 meters above
sea level and is surrounded by lush green lofty mountains.
The British tried to create a little England here with
its small timbered churches, parks, bungalows and the
Governor's House. Breathtaking landscapes, spring water
and fresh air make it one of the most peaceful hill
stations in Pakistan.